August 30, 2012

Gem Water by Michael Gienger and
Joachim Goebel takes using gemstones to the next level. As someone who has
loved wearing gemstones and having them around my home, this is just the book I
was looking for to use them in a whole new way.

Book
Description

“Adding crystals
to water is both visually appealing and healthy. The water becomes infused with
crystalline energy. Water contains minerals and Gem Waters provide effective
remedies, acting quickly on a physical level. Taking Gem Water acts in a way,
which is complimentary to the wearing of crystals, though the effects are not
necessarily the same.” – Gem Water

My Thoughts

This isn’t a large book, but it delivers a big
dose of information on using gemstones in water. It covers everything you would
need to know about how to prepare the Gem Water, and the importance of which crystals
to use and which not to use. Some are poisonous to use, so be very careful and
refer to this guide before using any crystals.

The second part in the book covers over 100 usable
crystals and 34 mixtures with their effects. It is a very handy reference tool
for making Gem Water. Once you read about which crystals to avoid, you could of
course make your own mixtures and use them accordingly.

Overall, I think that this is the perfect book on
making and using Gem Water. Everyone who uses crystals and gemstones should
definitely read this book. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Gem Water, Findhorn
Press, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

August 24, 2012

Ghost Dances by Josh Garrett-Davis
is a story about the Great Plains woven in with a coming of age tale about the
author himself. Sometimes places you grow up in have a way of calling you back,
and this story shows how special places can indeed do just that.

Book
Description

“Growing up in South Dakota, Josh Garrett-Davis always
knew he would leave. But as a young adult, he kept going back-in dreams and
reality and by way of books. With this beautifully written narrative about a
seemingly empty but actually rich and complex place, he has reclaimed his childhood,
his unusual family-and the Great Plains.

Among the subjects and people who bring his
Plains to life are the destruction and resurgence of the American bison; his
great-great-grandparents' twenty-year sojourn in Nebraska as homesteaders;
Native American "Ghost Dancers," who attempted to ward off
destruction by supernatural means before the 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee; the
political allegory to be found inThe
Wizard of Oz; and current attempts by ecologists to "rewild" the
Plains. GHOST DANCES is a fluid combination of memoir and history and reportage
that reminds us that our roots matter-and might even be inspiring and
fascinating.” – Ghost Dances

My Thoughts

Ghost Dances
is a book I really wanted to enjoy. It was written with fresh prose and was
significantly detailed. However, I just couldn’t get into it. I wanted to enjoy
it, but found myself wandering off thinking about different things instead of
just focusing on the book while reading it. I’m not sure exactly what it was
that had me so disconnected from it, perhaps it is the way in which he wrote,
or the subject matter. Maybe a combination of the two.

The author is a good writer, but lacked the
capacity to hold my attention. I wouldn’t say it is a terrible book, just not
one that I enjoyed reading. It felt more like a chore than reading for fun.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Ghost Dances, Little,
Brown and Company, for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
All opinions expressed are my own.

August 23, 2012

The Kingmaker’s Daughter by Philippa
Gregory is the first sister story since The
Other Boleyn Girl. In this one, Anne Neville and her sister Isabel’s fate
is held in the hands of their “Kingmaker” father, the Earl of Warwick.

Book
Description

“The Kingmaker’s Daughteris the gripping story of
the daughters of the man known as the “Kingmaker,” Richard Neville, Earl of
Warwick: the most powerful magnate in fifteenth-century England. Without a son
and heir, he uses his daughters Anne and Isabel as pawns in his political
games, and they grow up to be influential players in their own right. In this
novel, her first sister story sinceThe
Other Boleyn Girl,Philippa
Gregory explores the lives of two fascinating young women.

At the court of Edward IV and his beautiful queen, Elizabeth Woodville, Anne
grows from a delightful child to become ever more fearful and desperate when
her father makes war on his former friends. Married at age fourteen, she is
soon left widowed and fatherless, her mother in sanctuary and her sister
married to the enemy. Anne manages her own escape by marrying Richard, Duke of
Gloucester, but her choice will set her on a collision course with the
overwhelming power of the royal family and will cost the lives of those she loves
most in the world, including her precious only son, Prince Edward. Ultimately,
the kingmaker’s daughter will achieve her father’s greatest ambition.” – The
Kingmaker’s Daughter

My Thoughts

The
Kingmaker’s Daughter is a truly exciting and intriguing novel set in 15th-century
England. Gregory is one of the masters of writing for this time period, and
this novel doesn’t disappoint at all. The scenes are detailed beautifully and
the characters are so well crafted, it feels like you are watching a movie as
you read it.

The politics, court intrigue, family bonds and
issues, and superstition weaved in magically is the perfect mixture for this
novel. The characters really make the book for me, and Anne Neville really
holds her own in it even though women don’t hold the same type of power that
men do.

This piece of historical fiction is written
beautifully, and I highly recommend it for fans of the author and those who are
also intrigued by this time in history.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Kingmaker’s Daughter, Touchstone, for
providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my
own.

August 22, 2012

Going to the Bad: A Lilly Hawkins Mystery
by Nora McFarland is the newest book in the series featuring a TV news
photographer. Lilly is a seriously funny and structured character that truly
deserves a serious based on her. If you’re a fan of the series, or new to it,
this book will give you suspense, and a good old fashioned mystery case to
follow along with Lilly.

Book
Description

“Working
as a TV news photographer at her hometown television station, Lilly has
documented Bakersfield’s most violent crimes and tragic accidents. To stay sane
and avoid burnout, she’s developed a wicked sense of humor and a very thick
skin. For her, a vicious shooting is just another day on the job. But what if
the victim is someone she loves? Thrown off balance by the brutal attack on her
uncle Bud in her own home, Lilly decides to handle the tragedy the only way she
knows how. Using all her TV station’s resources and her own considerable
skills, Lilly dives headlong into the investigation. But even with the
assistance of her well-meaning but eccentric coworkers, this story may prove
her last. Because as Lilly untangles a history of her uncle’s misdeeds and
betrayals, a clever killer is preparing to strike again. Can she break the
story in time to prevent another murder, or will Lilly be the next victim?” – Going
to the Bad

My Thoughts

Going to the
Bad is a well written novel that follows Lilly Hawkins trying to find the
murderer of someone in her own family. She is used to covering the news, and
shootings and murders is nothing new, but when it is her uncle murdered in her
own home, it is very different. Lilly uses the resources at her disposal to
hunt down the killer before they strike again. This time, it could be that the
killer is actually targeting her. Can she figure it all out before she is the
next victim?

The author’s personal experience working as a TV
news photographer definitely shines through in her writing. Her perspective on
it gives a very in-depth and realistic viewpoint to the characters and the
storyline.

Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable read.
There are a few places in it that could have moved faster, but it didn’t happen
too often to be annoying. It also is written over a two day timespan, and the
author does very well with such a short timeframe. I think that people who like
mystery and suspense novels featuring a female heroine will enjoy it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Going to the Bad, Touchstone, for providing
me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Pleasures of Men by Kate
Williams is a thriller set in the late 1800s in London. It features a young
woman who becomes obsessed with a serial killer that is going after “working
girls.” This chilling book is one readers will want to devour quickly, so be
sure you have set time aside to do just that before starting it.

Book
Description

“July 1840: The young Queen Victoria has
just entered her third year on the throne when a major recession brings
London’s desperate and destitute into its sweltering streets. While the city
crackles with tension, orphaned Catherine Sorgeiul stays locked away in her
uncle’s home, a peculiar place where death masks adorn the walls and certain
rooms are strictly forbidden. Nineteen years old and haunted by a dark past,
Catherine becomes obsessed with a series of terrible murders of young girls
sweeping the city. Details of the crimes are especially gruesome—the victims’
hair has been newly plaited and thrust into their mouths, and their limbs are
grotesquely folded behind them, like wounded birds—and the serial killer is
soon nicknamed the Man of Crows.

Catherine begins
writing stories about the victims—women on their own and vulnerable in the big
city—and gradually the story of the murderer as well. But she soon realizes
that she has involved herself in a web of betrayal, deceit, and terror that
threatens her and all those around her. A remarkable fiction debut,The Pleasures of Menis a gripping and spine-tingling
thriller.” – The Pleasures of
Men

My Thoughts

This is a book set in the 1840s London. Some
authors have good intentions to do a period style book, but don’t quite
deliver. Kate Williams is able to fully deliver with Pleasures of Men. Perhaps it is because she lives in London,
England and is also a historian. Whatever magic she has, it is entwined in her
writings, and the reader fully benefits from this.

This author is able to captivate her readers with
finely tuned details and suspense that holds the reader’s interest throughout
the novel. This is such a good thriller and mystery novel that I honestly don’t
want to give anything way in this review. It would ruin it if I were to give
any spoilers, so I won’t be doing that.

Overall, I think this is an excellent novel. Be
prepared to read this story deep into the night for the biggest surprise of all
in the end. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Pleasures of Men, Voice, for providing me with a copy of
this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 21, 2012

The Sims 3:
Diesel Stuff Pack is an addition to the hit simulation game “The
Sims 3.” It does require the base game in order for you to add it to your game,
so be sure you have it before getting this “Stuff Pack.” The Diesel brand
brought their fashions into the game with this addition, so get ready for your
Sims to start strutting their stuff and living life like a model.

Game
Description

Style
your Sims with the latest Diesel apparel, accessories and furniture and get
ready for successful living. This Stuff Pack contains the hottest fashions and
home furnishings for your Sims from one of the world’s most popular lifestyle
brands. Update your Sims’ wardrobes with Diesel styles straight off the runway.
Dress your Sims in Diesel’s iconic cutting-edge pieces that have made it a
go-to brand for denim apparel. Complete your Sims’ transformation with
fashionable designs for the home featuring distinctive Diesel furniture. The Sims 3: Diesel Stuff Pack preps your
Sims for the look and the lifestyle they’ve always wanted no matter what
neighborhood they live in.

FEATURES

oDress to impress! Fit your Sims’ attitude with
hot styles straight from the Diesel runway. Outfit your Sims in stylish Diesel
fashions showcasing the trends that are all the rage this season!

oBe chic, casual, and confident. Be tough,
rugged, and modern. Upgrade your Sims’ style with the latest women’s and men’s
fashions from Diesel.

oCustomize your Sims’ homes with industrial
Diesel furnishings and décor from the showrooms of Milan to your ultimate urban
loft.

oMake your living room party ready, serve-up a second-date-worthy
dining room or freshen up your bedroom with furnishings that reflect an edgy,
urban, sophisticated style made possible by Diesel.

This “Stuff Pack” is a fashion forward gaming
experience. Diesel is a very popular and stylish designer brand, so I was
really excited to have my Sims step their style up a few notches in the game.
When I was going through the new clothing options, I was a little bit
disappointed though. Not as many items were added in as I thought would have
been. Also, the majority of the clothing wasn’t as appealing as I had hoped.
Sure, some are fabulous and make for some stunning outfits. However, most won’t
be used by me.

The home décor items that were added are more on
the urban side. This isn’t my style of choice. However, some do work very well
for certain Sims in my neighborhoods. Again, not as many of these objects were
added as I would have thought.

Overall, this is a good “Stuff Pack” but it isn’t
one that I would call a favorite. It offers a variety of clothing and home décor
items, but doesn’t add enough to really justify the price. If you are looking
for more, I’d suggest going with another one such as “The
Sims 3: Town Life Stuff Pack.”

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Sims 3: Diesel Stuff Pack, Electronic Arts, andGamers Gatefor
providing me with a digital copy of this game and allowing me to review it. All
experiences and opinions expressed are my own.

What in God’s Name by Simon Rich is
a comedic novel about Heaven, angels, and God. This is a funny take on the heavenly
realm which may be a little bit too much for some people to see the humor in.
However, if you can poke fun at things, and even yourself, this is a good book
to read to enjoy a few laughs and forget about daily stresses in your own life.

Book
Description

“Welcome to Heaven, Inc., the grossly mismanaged
corporation in the sky. For as long as anyone can remember, the founder and CEO
(known in some circles as "God") has been phoning it in. Lately, he's
been spending most of his time on the golf course. And when he does show up at
work, it's not to resolve wars or end famines, but to Google himself and read
what humans have been blogging about him.

When God decides to
retire (to pursue his lifelong dream of opening an Asian Fusion restaurant), he
also decides to destroy Earth. His employees take the news in stride, except
for Craig and Eliza, two underpaid angels in the lowly Department of Miracles.
Unlike their boss, Craig and Eliza love their jobs - uncapping city fire
hydrants on hot days, revealing lost keys in snow banks - and they refuse to
accept that earth is going under.

The angels manage
to strike a deal with their boss. He'll call off his Armageddon, if they can
solve their toughest miracle yet: getting the two most socially awkward humans
on the planet to fall in love. With doomsday fast approaching, and the humans
ignoring every chance for happiness thrown their way, Craig and Eliza must move
heaven and earth to rescue them - and the rest of us, too.” – What in God’s
Name

My Thoughts

What in
God’s Name is the kind of book you can read in a day. It isn’t too long,
but isn’t too short to not be called a novel, either. The characters (including
God) are funny and written to be extreme versions of their personalities.

God is bored and is close to destroying Earth. The
only way he’ll stop Armageddon is if two angels can make two very socially
awkward humans fall in love before the big day. Will the angels be able to play
cupid and make them happy and in love before Earth is ruined? I’m not one to
spoil the ending, so you’ll need to read this one to find out!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It is funny in all
the right ways and I quite liked it. I think that people with a good sense of
humor will like this book, just don’t take anything too seriously in it, of
course.

* Thank you
to the publisher of What in God’s Name, Little, Brown and Company, for
providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my
own.

The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia
Ahern is a fascinating novel set in Ireland with many mysteries hidden inside
it. When a family’s life is ruined emotionally and financially, they move out to
the countryside leaving their former luxurious lifestyle. Can change be good,
and can life really move on in a new direction so different from what they were
used to?

Book
Description

“Raised in the lap of luxury, spoiled and tempestuous
sixteen-year-old Tamara Goodwin has never had to think about tomorrow. But when
her world is irrevocably shaken by her father's self-imposed death, she and her
mother are left drowning in debt and forced to move in with Tamara's peculiar
aunt and uncle in a tiny countryside village.

Lonely and bored,
Tamara's sole diversion is a traveling library. There she finds a large
leather-bound book with a gold clasp and padlock, but no author name or title.
Intrigued, she pries open the lock, and what she finds takes her breath
away—for what's written inside is not only impossible and magical . . . it's
her future.” – The
Book of Tomorrow

My Thoughts

The Book of
Tomorrow is set in Ireland. However, the only real indication for me that
it is set there is the ruined old castle that is in the countryside by where Tamara
and her mom move to after they leave Dublin. I would have liked more Irish
details and lore.

The main character, Tamara Goodwin wasn’t very
likeable for me. I found her to be annoying, and took much too long to find any
resemblance of hope for her. She is snarky, rude, and even when poor, acts like
she is entitled to everything. Her mother isn’t any better.

The magical book Tamara finds that has her future diary
pages in it, could have been such a good idea for a story. However, with this one,
it falls flat.

Overall, this is a decent book. It is readable,
but it wouldn’t be the one I’d pick to read first.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Book of Tomorrow, William
Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

The Money Smart Family System by Steve
& Annette Economides is a family guide to help you get your family’s
finances better handled, and also teaches you how to raise financially smart
and responsible children.

Book
Description

“Is it possible to raise financially responsible kids of any
age in a society filled with consumerism and entitlement?

New York Times best-selling authors
Steve and Annette Economides raised their five kids while spending 77 percent
less than the USDA predicted. And the money they did spend was also used to
train their children to become financially independent. The MoneySmart Family
System will show you how to teach your children to manage money and have a good
attitude while they’re learning to earn, budget, and spend wisely.

Learn how to:

*Get the kids out the door for
school with less stress. *End the battle over clothing—forever *Teach your
children to be grateful and generous. *Inspire your kids to help with chores as
a member of a winning team. *Prepare your kids for their first paying job.
*Help your kids pay for their own auto insurance, and even pay cash for their own
cars. *Employ strategies for debt-free college educations. *Truly help your
adult children when they want to move back home. *Be prepared to deal with your
adult children when they ask for bailouts.

With clear steps
for children of every age,The MoneySmart Family Systemproves that it’s never too early, too
late, or too hard to start learning financial responsibility.” – The Money Smart Family System

My Thoughts

The Money
Smart Family System is a smart resource for managing money for the entire
family. With the economy being as unstable as it is, saving money and not
wasting it on things that aren’t necessary is essential. With so many young
kids feeling entitled to the newest video game console, games, shoes, cell
phones, and newest gadgets, can parents really make these changes? Yes, I think
they can. This book could definitely help with that battle, but it will only
work if the parents actually enforce and go through with these ideals.

Overall, I think this is a good book to help with
raising money smart kids, and parents will also benefit from reading it to help
their finances, too. I don’t think that too many “new” ways to save money were
necessarily brought forward in this book. People aren’t going to find lost
money in it, and it won’t magically make you earn more money to take care of
your family. It will however, help you to save more money and spend a lot less.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Money Smart Family System, Thomas Nelson, for providing
me with a copy of this book for review as part of their BookSneeze program. All opinions expressed
are my own.

August 20, 2012

Inside the Other Side by Concetta
Bertoldi is an excellent resource guide for beginners to learn about the “other
side.” Bertoldi is a celebrity psychic medium, and in this book she shares what
she knows about a variety of subjects on the other side. If you’ve ever been
curious to what is going on over there, this is a book you must read.

Book
Description

“Psychic medium Concetta Bertoldi knows how it is: Heaven is
perfection. Life on Earth is the tough part.

It's here we need to
meet challenges, learn lessons, and grow spiritually even as we cope with our
sense of "aloneness" and "not enough-ness" or the loss of a
loved one. Through all of this our guardian angels, those who have crossed to
the Other Side—or "the dead guys," as Concetta calls them—offer us
loving, behind-the-scenes assistance.

InInside the Other Side, Concetta
explains the importance of the agreements we make with God before being born
into a new physical life. She gives advice on dealing with life's difficult
issues: from relationships to a lack of abundance, from illness and aging to
coping with loss. Concetta's wise, witty, and uplifting assistance will help
you get more in touch with the Other Side so that you can call on your own
angels whenever they are needed the most.”
– Inside
the Other Side

My Thoughts

Inside the
Other Side is written in a very easy to read way. Concetta Bertoldi is
caring, and reading this book makes you feel like you know her, or are a
longtime client of hers. In this volume she shares the basics of such things
as: soul contracts, life lessons, mission entities, mystical travelers, angels,
energy, negativity, and much more.

My favorite part in this text is the chapter on “How
to Be an Angel on Earth.” She explains that everyone has the capability to be
an angel right here on Earth. We all have the qualities and abilities to change
even one person’s life for the better, and we need to do it.

Although this is a very good beginner book to the
“other side” it doesn’t quite give enough in-depth information for
non-beginners. All of the information is covered in a very limited basis, just
scratching the surface. It is perfect for the beginner, but again, not much
different than other books on the subject. If you’ve read similar books, it
isn’t likely you’ll learn too much new in this one.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Inside the Other Side, William
Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

August 16, 2012

I
love geeky things, and this fun video proves that advances in science can make
great spoofs, too. Check out the “We’re
NASA and We Know It (Mars Curiosity)” video spoofing LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know
It” tune.

Did
you watch it? What do you think of this video? Do you have any favorite spoofs that
can be found on YouTube? If so, post them here, I’d love to see them!

August 13, 2012

Sentinel by Matthew Dunn is a suspenseful
novel about spies. The United States and Russia are almost at war, and the
United States is counting on Will Cochrane to find the double agent, and
hopefully stop the war from starting.

Book
Description

“The United States and Russia are on the brink of war and
only Will Cochrane—the master spy introduced in the critically acclaimedSpycatcher—can find and unmask
the diabolical double agent responsible for it all in this enthralling
espionage thriller, written by a real-life former field officer.

Fourteen days ago, CIA
headquarters in Langley, Virginia, received a cryptic message from an agent
operating deep undercover in Russia:"He
has betrayed us and wants to go to war."Unable to make contact, the director
of operations is forced to turn to one of his most deadly field officers—Will
Cochrane. His mission is simple: infiltrate the remote submarine base in
eastern Russia's Avacha Bay, locate the MI6 agent operating under the code name
Svelte, and decode his message—or die trying.

It's a near-impossible
task-even for a man who carries the code name Spartan, a title given to the
most effective and deadliest Western intelligence officers. Will successfully
locates the base but finds Svelte near death, his last words a final clue:Only Sentinel can stop him.

Meanwhile, political and
economic tensions between the United States and Russia are rising by the day,
with both sides rounding up known enemy sleeper agents within their borders for
interrogation. Now it's up to Will—with the help of the top-secret joint
CIA-MI6 Spartan Section—to uncover the true meaning of Svelte's message . . .
and discover the identity of the legendary operative known only as Sentinel.” – Sentinel

My Thoughts

This is an exciting novel that will keep you in
suspense right up to the end. This isn’t a world that the vast majority of the
population would ever experience or fully understand. It is however, fully intriguing.
This is espionage at its best.

The author, Matthew Dunn was in the British Secret
Intelligent Service as a field operative. So he knows the subject matter very
well, and is able to write about it in such a way that is believable. I think
that this really helps the storyline, but sometimes might also be a reason it
trails off on too many insignificant details for an average reader to care
about.

Overall, I think this is a good book that is
relevant today. Although the “Cold War” is over, Russia is still a very real
threat to the United States, and Matthew Dunn does a very good job driving this
point home through his fictional story.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Sentinel, William
Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

August 10, 2012

The Upside of Down Times by Lisa
Ryan is a book about gratitude that explains how being positive, appreciating
people more, and just being grateful for things in your life can make a big
change. With how things are going in the world today, this is a book that could
make a huge difference in so many people’s lives.

Book
Description

“One of the downsides of life is that we
rarely have to deal with an overabundance of gratitude. Most of us tend to
focus on the negative. We don’t receive nearly as much acknowledgment as we
would like, and we don’t give as much recognition as others deserve. Now for the
upside! When we learn to harness the power of gratefulness, we can make a major
positive difference in so many areas of our lives, as well as the lives of
those around us—andThe Upside of Down Timesis your first step toward making that
happen.” – The Upside of
Down Times

My Thoughts

This book reminded me that just having good
manners and saying “Thanks” isn’t enough to be truly grateful. I also was
reminded that when I do something for someone to say “Thank You” to me, I
should say “You’re Welcome” and not “No problem” or “It was nothing.”

I consider myself to be a positive person, but
there are times when it is hard to stay that way all day. Lisa Ryan did an
excellent job reminding me that even that extra smile or waiting to hold the
door open for someone is a little thing that could change the attitude of that
other person’s day, and also help to uplift my day, too. Smiles are contagious.

There are many personal experiences in the book
for us to read, and also places where we can journal places of gratitude for
our own progression with being grateful. I especially liked how the author told
the story about her own journaling experience with fancy journals, and how she
just uses binders with loose-leaf paper now.

The Upside
of Down Times is a book that I am grateful to have read. I enjoy reading
and am so appreciative and grateful to be a book reviewer. This is a book that
I highly recommend to everyone to read – it might just be the pick-up you need
to change your outlook on life and make those big changes for the better.

* Thank you
to the author of The Upside of Down Times, Lisa Ryan, for providing me with a
copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 8, 2012

Charlotte Markham and the House of Darkling
by Michael Boccacino is an intriguing Gothic tale about family and the mystery
of things that are there, but unseen by most of the world. This author writes
like Edgar Allan Poe and Tim Burton rolled into one.

Book
Description

“When the nanny to the young Darrow boys is found
mysteriously murdered on the outskirts of the village of Blackfield, Charlotte
Markham, the recently hired governess, steps in to take over their care. During
an outing in the forest, they find themselves crossing over into The Ending,
"the place for the Things Above Death," where Lily Darrow, the late
mother of the children, has been waiting. She invites them into the House of Darkling,
a wondrous place filled with enchantment, mystery, and strange creatures that
appear to be, but are not quite, human.

However, everything
comes with a price, and as Charlotte begins to understand the unspeakable
bargain Mrs. Darrow has made for a second chance at motherhood, she uncovers a
connection to the sinister occurrences in Blackfield and enters into a deadly
game with the master of Darkling—one whose outcome will determine the fate of
not just the Darrows but the world itself.

Charlotte
Markham and the House of Darkling was written by a fellow University of
Central Florida alumni, so naturally I wanted to read what he wrote. Although I
never met him while attending school there, and we didn’t graduate in the same
departments, it is the first UCF graduate I’ve ever read a book by, so I
personally find that to be a very cool thing.

That being said, this isn’t the normal style of a
novel that I would gravitate towards reading for fun. Although I do enjoy
gothic tales and stories involving the paranormal, I honestly would have just
passed this one up. I am so glad I didn’t do that! This is an exceptionally
well written book in a style that may not be the most popular, but it is a
creepily good read. I would have enjoyed it being a bit more scary, but it was
still good.

Overall, I think Boccacino did an excellent job
with this novel. The characters were all intriguing and developed well enough for
me to care about (which is crucial for me finished a novel). I definitely
recommend it to people who like stories told in a “Gothic” style.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Charlotte Markham and the House of Darkling, William Morrow, for providing me with a
copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ask the Angels by Rosemary Ellen
Guiley is a beautifully written book about angels. In this excellent guide, you’ll
learn who and what are angels, how we know if we’ve encountered one, their
relationship to us, what they do in heaven, who guardian angels are, and much
more!

Book
Description

“It is true! Billions of angels populate the universe.
Whether their presence takes the form of a disembodied voice, a divine light, a
mysterious stranger, or an invisible guardian, angels have always participated
in human affairs.

Ask the Angelsis a
friendly and accessible guide to the wisdom and lore of angels. Guiley provides
an introduction for readers to the whole hierarchy of angels, from the
twenty-two Master Angels of Life who govern aspects of daily life to the Nine
Angels of the Higher Order who guide spiritual growth. In addition, she
provides a series of meditations and exercises for working with angels.” – Ask the Angels

My Thoughts

Ask the
Angels is one of my favorite books about angels, and I’ve read a lot of
them. This one is covered in such a way that people who are new to angels can enjoy,
and those who have read about them for years (such as myself) can also enjoy.

The author answers common questions about angels,
such as “Do angels really have wings” and “Is it possible to become an angel
after death?” She also covers how we can experience angels in our lives, which gives
very good examples and guides to doing so. The sections I most enjoyed was the
ones on working with your guardian angel and the other types of angels.

Overall, I think this is an outstanding book that
really helped me get back in touch with my spirituality. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Ask the Angels, Hampton
Roads, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

The Violinist’s Thumb by Sam Kean is
a book about DNA that is highly entertaining and also manages to teach you
quite a lot about the subject. This one is for fellow geeks like me, and also
those who just want to sound like they know about DNA the next time it comes up
in conversation.

Book
Description

“InThe Disappearing Spoon, bestselling
author Sam Kean unlocked the mysteries of the periodic table. In THE
VIOLINIST'S THUMB, he explores the wonders of the magical building block of
life: DNA.

There are genes to explain crazy cat ladies, why
other people have no fingerprints, and why some people survive nuclear bombs.
Genes illuminate everything from JFK's bronze skin (it wasn't a tan) to
Einstein's genius. They prove that Neanderthals and humans bred thousands of
years more recently than any of us would feel comfortable thinking. They can
even allow some people, because of the exceptional flexibility of their thumbs
and fingers, to become truly singular violinists.

Kean's vibrant storytelling once again makes
science entertaining, explaining human history and whimsy while showing how DNA
will influence our species' future.”
– The
Violinist’s Thumb

My Thoughts

The
Violinist’s Thumb is a book about DNA that is fun to read. This isn’t a
college textbook that will bore you to death. Although I have read many of those
boring college science books that will in fact put you to sleep without the use
of melatonin, this one is entertaining to read.

I’ve taken quite a few college science courses, so
this was an easy book for me to read and understand. However, for people who
haven’t taken any of these courses, or it has been awhile, it might be a little
bit hard to understand in a few places. It isn’t enough for someone to not be
able to get the main idea though, so don’t let this stop you from reading it.

Overall, I found this to be a fun science book
that I actually enjoyed reading and learning from. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Violinist’s Thumb, Little, Brown and Company, for
providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my
own.

August 7, 2012

Judgment Call: A Brady Novel of Suspense
by J.A. Jance is a murder mystery novel that stars County Sheriff Joanna Brady.
This is the fifteenth book in the series, and this time Joanna is tracking down
a tech-savvy killer after her daughter finds her high school principal dead. If
you like the “Joanna Brady Mysteries” or just enjoy murder mystery novels, this
may be the book for you.

Book
Description

“When Joanna Brady's daughter, Jenny, stumbles across the
body of her high school principal, Debra Highsmith, in the desert, the Cochise
County sheriff's personal and professional worlds collide, forcing her to tread
the difficult middle ground between being an officer of the law and a mother.
While investigating murders has always meant discovering unpleasant facts and
disquieting truths, the experienced Joanna isn't prepared for the knowledge
she's about to uncover. Though she's tried to protect her children from the
dangers of the grown-up world, the search for justice leads straight to her own
door and forces her to face the possibility that her beloved daughter may be
less perfect than she seems—especially when a photo from the crime scene ends
up on Facebook. A photo only one person close to the crime scene could have
taken.

The gruesome picture is
just the tip of the iceberg. Even a small, close-knit town like Bisbee has its
secrets. Navigating her way through the unfamiliar world of social media,
Joanna discovers shocking—and incriminating—information. The details build,
from a hushed-up suspension, to a group of teenagers with a grudge against the
late Ms. Highsmith, to a hateful video calling for the principal's death. The
video evidence points to one particular privileged boy, who's already lawyered up
thanks to his father, a well-to-do doctor determined to protect his son's
reputation. Yet the deeper Joanna digs, the more complications she uncovers. It
seems the quiet, upstanding principal had a hidden past, full of mysterious
secrets she'd successfully kept buried for years.

As the seasoned sheriff
juggles professional constraints and personal demands—budget cuts, new team
members, an arrogant coroner, a confused teenager, a precocious toddler, and a
high-maintenance mother—she finds herself walking a fine line between justice
and family that has never been so blurred.”
– Judgment
Call

My Thoughts

Judgment
Call is a well written mystery novel that continues the story of Cochise
County Sheriff Joanna Brady. Before reading this novel, I had never read any of
the other novels featuring this character. However, it is so well written, I
don’t feel like I was missing out on any essential storylines for missing them.

This one features a killer that is technically knowledgeable
about things like “Facebook” which helps spread the images of the murder scene
online. Police work this time is focused on online social networks and also
old-fashioned police detective work. It is a good mix that should be used now
with the advancement in technology.

Overall, I found the book is a good read, but
could have been paced a little bit faster. There were many times where it
seemed to drag on for quite a lot longer than it needed to. Some of the stereotypes
of teenagers and older people were also too cliché, but didn’t really pull the
story down. If you like mysteries, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Judgment Call, William
Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

August 6, 2012

Tigers in Red Weather is the debut
novel by Liza Klaussmann who was a journalist for the New York Times. It starts off at the end of World War II and
follows the lives of the five main characters. When secrets are revealed, and
things don’t go according to plan, what will happen to them?

Book
Description

“Nick and her cousin, Helena, have grown up sharing
sultry summer heat, sunbleached boat docks, and midnight gin parties on
Martha's Vineyard in a glorious old family estate known as Tiger House. In the
days following the end of the Second World War, the world seems to offer itself
up, and the two women are on the cusp of their 'real lives': Helena is off to
Hollywood and a new marriage, while Nick is heading for a reunion with her own
young husband, Hughes, about to return from the war.

Soon the gilt
begins to crack. Helena's husband is not the man he seemed to be, and Hughes
has returned from the war distant, his inner light curtained over. On the brink
of the 1960s, back at Tiger House, Nick and Helena--with their children, Daisy
and Ed--try to recapture that sense of possibility. But when Daisy and Ed
discover the victim of a brutal murder, the intrusion of violence causes
everything to unravel. The members of the family spin out of their prescribed
orbits, secrets come to light, and nothing about their lives will ever be the
same.

Brilliantly told
from five points of view, with a magical elegance and suspenseful dark longing,
Tigers in Red Weather is an unforgettable debut novel from a writer of extraordinary
insight and accomplishment.” – Tigers in Red
Weather

My Thoughts

Tigers in
Red Weather is told from the point of view of five of the characters. Some
books that attempt doing this, don’t work out. However, this one does a very
good job with it. It is more of a character driven book than one with huge
amounts of action. There is a murder and some violence in it, but it isn’t a
huge part of the story for me.

Another risky thing that happens in this book, is
that it spans not just years, but decades in the character’s lives. Again, sometimes
books that do this don’t work out. This one does, at least for me. It helps to
create even more depth of each of the characters and unfolds the story in a
very readable way.

This is a coming of age story that is told by an
excellent author. If you enjoy reading character driven books that are told
during this time period, this is definitely a book worth reading.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Tigers in Red Weather, Little, Brown, for providing me
with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I
know I’m a little behind with the whole UGG popularity thing, but I have a
serious question for my fashionable Blog readers. What socks can you wear with UGGs? Or… do you
wear socks with UGGs?

I
just bought two pairs of the boots, and I am hoping that one of them fit me. I
wasn’t sure which size would fit me best because I am in a half size normally,
and they don’t offer that. Their calf circumference is also different. Plus,
their reviews were a bit mixed on both pairs.

These
are the two I’m trying out:

I
like the purple pair more, so I hope those at least fit. I’m still wondering
though, to wear socks or not to wear socks. Normally I do with all shoes, but
from what I’ve been reading it can go either way with these. So, if you happen
to also wear UGGs, please let me know what socks you can wear with UGGs or if
you even wear socks with UGGs.

August 3, 2012

Globe Quake by Wallace Henley is a
guide to help us navigate all of the changes going on in our world in a Godly
manner. Everything from globalization to the digital revolution and the tough
times most are facing with the economy, Wallace Henley has something to say to
help us through it. If you need guidance on topics such as this, Globe Quake may be the book you want to
read next.

People
across the globe sense something big is shaping up. The anxiety is over the
fact that they don’t know what. Global collapse? Fiery wars? Worldwide
depression? It’s as if the tectonic plates of society and culture are being
reshaped right under our feet! Turbulence and change have gone viral, and can
only be described as a “globequake.” How can we be stable personally and anchor
our families, schools, governments, churches, and businesses in the middle of
such upheaval? People wonder:

How can I protect my children from all the thunderous change?

Who can I trust for leadership in the pulpit, in the schoolroom, in the courthouse, in the CEO’s office?

Where is God in the middle of this upheaval?

The good news is that behind the
anxiety-stirring uncertainties about the future there are wonderful, strong
certainties given by the Lord of history himself!Globequakepresents answers to the troubling
questions with solid biblical truth on which we can ground our lives when the
times are shifting at what seems like light-speed.”
– Globe Quake

My Thoughts

Globe Quake
is a well written wakeup call that many are in serious need of reading. The
author does a very good job of summarizing the current problems in the world
and how having faith can help you through it all.

Unlike some religious authors on the subject,
Wallace Henley didn’t feel too preachy and sending the fiery pits of hell to
people who may not be on the right course right now. Instead, he gives
motivation and inspiration to get back on track and gives courage to live
through these hard times.

Not everyone will get or agree with what the
author says 100% (not even me), it is one of those things that you can take
what resonates with you and leave what doesn’t. I find that is the best way
(for me) to read spiritual or religious texts. If you do as well, or have a
strong and unshakable religious faith, this is definitely a book you’ll want to
read.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Globe Quake, Thomas Nelson, for providing me with a copy of
this book for review as part of their BookSneeze
program. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 1, 2012

I
love the Olympics. I remember watching it when I was a little kid and just
being so fascinated with all of the amazing athletes. It was this reason I wanted to swim all the
time (plus I loved swimming) and why I wanted to be in gymnastics. Although I
was never an all-star athlete or Olympian, I enjoyed it and have been watching
both sports ever since. My favorite is gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics (in
case you were wondering).

This
year the Olympics is in London, which is on a side note, somewhere I really
have to go one day. If you haven’t been watching any of the Olympics, it is
aired on NBC in the USA, and you should really put it on. I’ve been TiVo’ing it
so I don’t miss any of my favorite competitions that are aired. We don’t get to
watch it live, but that is okay with me. I am a nervous wreck when not knowing
if we’ll win things like the Women’s Gymnastic team competition which we won
gold in!

I’m
so proud of Team USA being so amazing and winning the gold. HUGE congratulations
to the Fab Five! Gabrielle Douglas, Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney
and Kyla Ross are amazing! I can’t
wait to see what else they win in.

Also,
Michael Phelps is now the most decorated Olympian from his 19th
medal win yesterday! He is a beast! A sexy swimming beast that is!

Team
USA doesn’t just win medals though; they also have fun and make YouTube spoofs
like this one on the song that’ll stay in your head all day. “Call Me Maybe”
Olympic swimmer version (really, watch it)!

Are
you watching the Olympics? Who are you cheering for? Do you have a favorite
sport?

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